Hinge-making machine.



PATEN' I'ED SEPT. 8,1903.

L., T. wEIss.

APPLIOATIGII FILED-AUG. 3. 1902.

7 SHEETS-SHEET L I0 MODEL.

WITNESSES! No. 738,266. 'PATENTBD SEPT. 12, 1903.

' L. T. WEISS.

HINGE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2v

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2 mvzmon WAHNESS'YES ATTORNEY No. 738,266.'PATENTED SEPT; 8, 1903.

LPT. WEISS.

HINGE MAKING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED we. 2, 1902.

no monnn. 7 SHEETS-SHEET s.

WITNESSES:

.'1I0.738,266. PATENTED SEPT. a; 1903 L. T. WEISS. HINGE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2. 1902:

N0 MQDEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 4..

WITNESSES No. 738.266. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1903. L. T. WEISS.

HINGEMAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION IILBD AUG. 2. 1902.

7 SHEETS-SHEET N0 MODEL.

ATTORNEY Mk 0 vw o o Q Sm wm WITNESSES:

No.,738,266. I PATENTED SEPT. s, 1903.- L. T. WEISS,- HINGE MAKINGMACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED AUG. 2. 1902.

" 10 1:01am. 7 sums-sum q W18 2 1 9.19. Fyfla A5 I I v l WITNESSES: I II I INVENTOR- MWM 3 PATBNTE-D SEPT. '3, 1903.

L. T. WEISS.

HINGE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nun we. 2. 10oz.

no IODBL. v 7 sums-sum '1.

102 11 Q lZZ 105/5\ i213.

17. T if 103 J10 I WITNESSES: 3 120 \NVENTOR d a 10.9 Q 11.03 BY 5 6 VATTORNEY UNIT D STATES Patented September 8, 1903;.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS 'l. WEISS,.OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR. TO TIL-LIAM M.

SPEER, OF YORK, N. Y.

HINGE-MAKING MACHINE.

SF EGTFICAT ION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 738,266, datedSeptember 8, 1903. Application filed August 2,1902. Serial No. 118,137.(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS T. WEISS, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a residentof the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, cityand State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvementsin Hinge-Making Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to machines for making butt-hinges, andis specifically designed to produce a machine of this class automaticthroughout in performing the various stepsnecessary in the operation ofconstructing complete and finished hinges from sheet metal.

One ofthe main features of myinvention consists in the employment of anautomatic stop to cooperate with the feed mechanism in controlling theadvance of the sheet-metal strips or ribbons to the punches, the sameserving to tlme the delivery of the material in accordance with theaction of the punches and also to regulate the length fed forward,thereby utilizing the material to its fullest extent and avoidingunnecessary waste.

A second important feature consists in the former for the knuckles ofthe hinge, in which the leaf-blanks and pintle are assembled and unitedin the form of a complete and finished hinge as a single step in theoperation of the machine.

A third feature of importance consists in protecting the machine frombeing broken or choked up, as might occur in the event of failure of thehinge parts to become properly assembled and united in the former. Forthis purpose I employ, in connection with a main clutch controlling thepower to the machine, an automatic throw-out, designed to act in suchemergencies to disconnect the clutch and stop the machin Various otherfeatures of novelty, combinations, and arrangements of parts, (850.,will be hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in theclaims.

The preferred form of mechanism embodying my invention is illustrated inthe accom-' panying seven sheets of drawings, throughout the severalviews of which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, Figure 1. is a view in front former.

elevation of a hinge-making machine constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line s s ofFig. 1, the friction feed-rolls for the metallic ribbons being omittedand the ribbons indicated by dotted lines to more clearly show theratchet-feed, &c., for the hinge pintle-wire. Fig. 3 is a view in sideelevation looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 5 in Fig. 1,the belt-pulley, due, for driving the ribbon feed-rolls being omitted toshow the ratchet-feed, &c., for the hinge pintle-wire. Fig. 4 is acentral vertical section taken on the line 5 s of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is adetail view in front elevation with certain parts broken away and insection, illustratseparated and the ejector in position to deliver-thefinished hinge. Fig. 7 is a detail view in perspective of one of thereciprocating slides by which the leaf-blanks are taken from themagazines and delivered to the Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view ofthe automatic feed-stop, the same being shown in position engaging anopening of the metallic ribbon from which a blank has been punched tocheck its further advance by the feed-rolls until the punch hasdescended and stamped outanotherblank. Fig.9isasimilar view showing thepunch inits lowermost po- .sition after having punched out a blank fromthe ribbon and the stop disengaged, leaving the ribbon free to beadvanced as the punch clears the same on the upstroke. Fig. 10 is adetail view of the members of the former,

showing the same assembled in locked relation. Fig. 11 is an enlargedsectional detail view of the engaging portions of these members,illustrating the manner in which the blanks enter the former and arebent around the hinge-pintle wire. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailperspective view of the face of the upper member of the former, showingthe lugs by which the interlocking projections of the hinge-blanks arebent up, as indicated by arrows, and curved around the wire or pintlo ofthe hinge. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the upper memberof theformer; and Figs. 14 and 15 are similar views of the lower membersthereof, all of which are shown separated to more clearly illustratetheir construction. Fig. 16 is ayiew in elevation of the upper portionof a die-press to which the hinge-making machine is applied, showing theclutch for connecting the press to the power or driving wheel. Fig. 17is a detail sectional view of the clutch and an electromagnetic trip forcontrolling the same. Figs. 18 to 23 illustrate the various steps instamping out, assembling, and completing a hinge. Fig. 18 shows therelation of the blank ribbons and the pintlewireas delivered by thefeed-rolls. Fig. 19 shows the first step in the operation-that is, theaction of the first set of punches on the ribbons to form thescrew-holes of the hinge, the relation of the ribbons to the wire beingthe same as in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 shows the second step or the cutting ofthe leaf-blanks from the ribbons by the second set of punches. Fig. 21shows the third step or the advance of the blanks from the magazinestoward the wire or pintle and their relation when assembled. Fig. 22shows the fourth step or the action of the former in bending upinterlocking projections of the blanks about the pintle, and Fig. 23shows the completed hinge.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the frame of an ordinarydie-press, and 2 2 bearings in part with the frame. Mounted to turnfreely in these bearings there is a shaft 3, to which continuous rotarymotion is imparted by a belt-wheel 4,driven from any overheadcounter-shaft. This wheel is loosely mounted on the shaft andis thrownin or out of gear therewith by means of a clutch 5, a detaileddescription of which will follow later on. About centrally of thebearings an eccentric 6 is secured fast to or'formedin part with theshaft and in rotation serves to impart a reciprocating motion to aplunger 7, working in parallel guides 8 8 of the pressframe.

On the bed 9 of the press the mechanisia for punching, assembling, anduniting the hinge-blanks, &c., is mounted. I will first describe thefeed mechanism by which the sheet-metal strips or ribbons are fed intothe machine. 7

In the rear of the press twin reels (not shown) are arranged to carrythe sheet-metal strips orribbons 1O 10 from which the leafblanks 10 10are punched, and about centrally of these reels aspool of wire (notshown) is mounted, which serves when out into suitable lengths aspintles l1 11, &c., for the hinges. It will of course be understood thatsupports or carriers of any suitable form may be substituted for thereels, 850., as the latter are employed merely for convenience instoring a large amount of stock and saving floor-space. From the reels,as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4., each ribbon passes between a pair offriction feed-rollers 12 12, mounted in an offset or extension of themain casting 13, which latter is bolted upon the bed of the press. Theupper rollers of each pair are provided with flanges which overlap thelower rollers, and the ribbons in passing between the same aremaintained properly alined and prevented from. binding in theguide-openings leading to the punches. In order that the feed may yieldto any inequalities in the stock and at the same time to obtain therequisite pressure between the rollers for advancing the ribbon as maybe required, the upper roller of each pair is preferably mounted in ablock 14, movable in guides 15 15, and by means of springs 16 theserollers are forced into close contact with the ribbons supported by thelower rollers, the pressure being regulated by set-screws 17,engagingthe springs. As shown in Fig. l, the shaft 18, carrying the lowerrollers, extends outward and after passing through a bracketed hearing19 projects beyond the same to receive a grooved pulley 20, which isconnected with the eccentric orpower shaft 3 of the press by an endlessbelt 21, as shown in Fig. 16. It will therefore be seen that by means ofthis direct connection through the belt from the main shaft the lowerpair of feed-rolls will be continuously driven and through frictionalcontact will feed the ribbons forward from the reels to the punches, theupper flanged rollers acting merely as guides.

Feed mechanism for the hinge-195112516 wire. The wire is led forwardfrom the spool and after passing through a flaring or funnelshapedopening in a plate 22 is frictionally gripped by two milled rollers 2324, which are mounted in a bearing 25, bracketed to the main casting. Anintermittent feed is employed for advancing the wire into the machine ortoward the former and consists of the ratchet-wheel 26, secured to theunder face and rotating with the milled wheel 23 and the pawl 27,engaging the ratchet and reciprocated by an arm 28, pivoted at 29 andprovided with a roller 30, working in a cam 31. This cam is mounted onan extension 32 of a rock-shaft, which is geared to the reciprocatinghead of the plunger 7 in a manner to be later on described. The pawl 27may be shifted with relation to its carrying-arm 28, or the pivot of thearm may be likewise shifted to vary the stroke of the pawl and effect acorresponding variation in the feed of the wire.

Die and ptmch mec7tam'sm.As illustrated in Fig. 19, the first stepconsists in punching two holes in each of the ribbons, which aredesigned to serve as the screw-holes of the hinge, and the next step incutting or punching the blanks. Both operations are performedsimultaneously, but in different portions of the ribbons on thedownstroke of the plunger-head. To accomplish this, I provide the headwith two sets of screw-hole punches 33 33, which cooperate with openings34 34 (see Fig. 2) in the (lie-plate andin line with these punches; butseparated therefrom a suitable distance a pair of leaf-blank punches 3535 are arranged to cooperate with openings 36 36 in the die-plate. Asthe head descends the various punches act simultaneously, the first setdescribed to punch out the screw-holes and the second set to cut theblanks which were apertured in the previous operation.

Automatic feed-stop mechanism-Jt is desirable that the blanks should bepunched out with as little waste as possible, and by controlling thefeed the ribbons may be reduced to the merest skeletons. To accomplishthis, I employ in connection with each ribbon an automatic stop 37,which times its delivery and regulates the length fed forward. Whenthese stops act, the advance of the ribbons is positively checked, andat such times the friction of the feed-rolls is either overcome or thedriving-belt slips until the stop is disengaged, permitting the ribbonsto be again advanced in the manner described. Referring to Figs. 8 and9, the stop is shown as consisting of an arm 38, pivoted at 39in thedie-plate and having its outer projecting end 40 engaged by anupward-acting spring 41. This arm is provided at its engaging end with ayielding face consisting ofa pivoted spring-pressed dog 42-that is tosay, its inner end is notched to receive a dog 42, which is adapted tosuccessively engage the openings in the ribbon from which theleaf-blanks have been out. The lower or engaging end of the dog ispressed outward by a spring 43; but its movement in this direction islimited by its upper end abutting against a shoulder 44 of the arm 38.As shown in Fig. 8, the spring 41 acts to throw the inner end of the arm38 downward into the recess of the ribbon and hold the dog 42 inengagement with the inner wall of such recess, thereby positivelylocking the ribbon against further advance by the feed until the punch35 has descended and cut out a blank. In order to disengage the ribbonwhen this operation has been completed, a depending stud 45 is securedto the plunger-head 7, there being one of such studs arranged tocooperate with the outer end of each of the stoparms, so that as thehead descends the studs engage and trip these stop-arms by depressingtheir outer ends and causing their inner ends to swing upward, therebydisengaging the dog, as illustrated in Fig. 9, to release the ribbon. Inorder to prevent an immediate reengagement of the stop with the recessin the ribbon as the punch is withdrawn by the up ward movement of thehead, the spring 43 acts as soon as the dog clears the wall of therecess in the ribbon to swing the same about its pivot or into theposition shown in Fig. 9, thereby preventing its return into the samerecess and allowing the ribbon to be fed forward preparatory to the nextoperation of the punch. l

lllagazmcs for the Zcof-Nanks.-As the formed in the main casting tomagazine.

blanks are punched they are stored in twin magazines 46 46. in on threesides only and open at the top and bottom, are provided interiorly withretainingsguides 47 to prevent the blanks from becoming jammed thereinand hold them properly registered one above the other. There are alsoprovided pivoted arms 48 48, (best shown in Fig. 5,) one of whichextends beneath each magazine and is yieldingly forced upward by aspring 49 into contact with the blanks as a yielding support therefor.These magazines might be as readily constructed with their outline incross-section corresponding to the form of leaf-blank; but I prefer theapproximately rectangular form with retaining guides or tongues enteringbetween the projections of the blanks, as above described. It will beobserved that by increas- These magazines, walled ing the depth of themagazines any desired number of blanks may be stored therein; also, thatsuch blanks cut by another machine could be readily placed therein andthe feed, punch, and die mechanism disconnected for the time. While suchsuggested modifications are obviously possible and practical, I preferthe arrangementof mechanism herein shown and described, in which themachine is compact, self-contained,and occupies an exceptionally smallfloor-space.

llfechcmz'sm for assembling two leaves-- Twin slides 50 50 are arrangedto reciprocate in guides beneath the magazines and are designed to takethe lowermost pair of blanks from the magazines and carry them forwardto the former. These slides (best shown in Figs. 5 and 7) are groovedlongitudinally, as at 51, to straddle the pivoted arms 48 and arerecessed at their engaging ends 52 to the approximate form of theleaf-blanks. They are geared to travel outward in opposite directionsand come to rest beneath the magazines as the punches cut the blanksfrom the ribbons, and as new blanks are added at the top of each pilethe slides takeapair of blanks from the bottom and carry them to theformer. The wall of each magazine adjacent to the former is slightlycutaway and rounded at the bottom to provide clearance necessary for theadvance of the lower pair of blanks by the reciprocating slides or.pushers. The spring-arms 48 48, while serving to yieldingly sustain theblanks in the magazine, also cooperate with the pushers by beingextended outward to support each pair of blanks in The recip theirtravel toward the former. rocating slides are mounted in suitable wayshave a free bacleand-forth movement under the action of suitable gearingconnecting them with the plunger-head, so that on the downstroke of thehead the slides separate and move outward in opposite directions or intoa position to take the lowermost pair of blanks from the As the headmoves upward the motion of the slides is reversed, and they travelinward to deliver the blanks to the former. The gearing for operatingthe slides comprises two rack-bars 53 53, depending from theplunger-head and meshing with toothed pinions 54 54 on rock-shafts 5555, mounted in suitable bearings in the main casting. These shafts areeach provided with an additional pinion, 56, which are engaged byrack-bars 57 57, carried by the reciprocating slides. The dependingrack-bars 53 53 are formed in two parts adjustably connected, and therack-bars of the slides are adj ustably secured thereon, so that therelation of these parts may be varied to time the movement of the slidesand the delivery of the blanks according to the descent of the head.

Knuckle-forming mechanism.The leafblanks and pintle-wire are assembledand united in a two-part former (best shown in Figs. to which comprisestwo blocks 58 and 59, arranged one above the other. The lower block iscentrally divided along a vertical plane, with a hinge connecting thetwo parts at the bottom-that is to say,these parts are mounted upon apin or stud 60, projecting from the main casting, and have a limitedmovement in opening and closing for a purpose to be later on described.The sec tions of the lower block have their opposite faces beveled, asshown in Figs. 10 and 11, and the upper block is provided withcorrespondingly-beveled lugs or projections 61 61,

&c., which when the blocks are operatively combined straddle the beveledend of the lower block and lock the sections thereof together. When thuscombined, a central cylindrical chamber 62 is formed between themembers, having a series of passages 62 62,

. 85c. ,alternately arranged to lead into the same from opposite sidesand tangential to the walls thereof, such passages being all located ina common plane parallel with the bore of the chamber, but in separateplanes which are perpendicular to the bore. The outline of thecross-section of that portion of the chamber in the lower block formsabout two-thirds of the circumferenceof a circle which is completed by aseries of arc-shaped projections 63 63, &c., depending from the face ofthe upper block. These arc-shaped projections correspond in number withthe tangential passages and lie opposite the same within the cylindricalchamber, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, to serve in giving the initialbend or upturn to the interlocking projections of the leaf-blanks. Theseblanks are delivered by the reciprocating slides so that theirinterlocking projections enter the tangential passages, and on beingforced inward by the continued movement of the slides these projectionsfirst encounter the arc-shaped lugs, and

- are thereby bent up, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 12. Assumingthe hinge-pintle wire to be in position as shown in Fig. 11, the onlypath of travel open to the projections of the blankis around the pintleor in the annular space between the same and the Wall of the cylindricalchamberin the former. Consequently on further movement of the slidesthese blanks are forced together, and the projections continue in thedirection indicated by the .arrows in Fig. 11 around the pintle,completely oncirclng the same and completing the hinge.

Looking and adjusting mechanism for the former-Before the blanks enterthe former it is necessary that the members thereof should be looked, asshown in Fig. 5, and when the hinge is completed the members of theformer must be free to separate in order to release the completed hingeand permit it to be ejected therefrom. To effect this action, the upperblock of the former is mounted to move up and down in a recess or guide73 and is provided with an opening 74:, in which the rounded end of acrank-arm 75 projects. This crank-arm is carried by the shaft 76,turningin suitable bearings, and has its outer end notched at 77 orotherwise formed to cooperate with a trip-arm 78, mounted on a shaft 79.This trip is operated from one of the rock-shafts 55 by means of asegment 80, loose on the shaft, cooperating with an arm 81 on the shaft79. When the former-blocks are locked together, the segment drops belowthe arm 81 and the engaging end of the latter rests upon the same, asshown in Fig. 5. The segment is operatively connected with therock-shaft by means of a disk 82, having adjustably secured thereon twoblocks 83 83, adapted when the disk is oscillated by the rock-shaft toengage and shift the segment. As the rock-shaft is rotated toward theright or in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5 one of theblocks 83 engages and carries the segment around with it, and thesegment in swinging the arm 81 upward, as indicated by dotted lines,causes the trip to throw the crank-arm 75 and elevate the upper block ofthe former to the position shown in Fig. 6 or until it clears the lowerblock sufficiently to permit the sections thereof to separate slightlyand free the completed hinge, which is delivered by an ejector, to belater on described. To lock the members of the former together, a wedge84 is employed, which is carried by a sliding bar 85, movable insuitable ways 86 and acted upon by a spring 87, tending to force thewedge into locked position. The wedge has a doublebeveled face whichcooperates with correspondingly-beveled faces of the upper block of theformer. In the unlocked position, or when this block is elevated, thebeveled faces having the sharpest incline are in engagement, as shown.When the spring is free to act, the upper block is cammed down rapidly,owing to the sharp bevel of the engaging faces, until it straddles theupper tapered end of the lower block. Then the second beveled face orthe wedge proper, having only a slight incline, engaging thecorrespondinglybeveled face of the upper block is forced over the sameto the full strength of the spring, securely locking theblocks in theposition shown IIO in Fig. 5 preparatory to the hinge-blanks beingentered by the reciprocating slides. The release of the wedge iseffected by an arm 88, mounted on shaft 79 and working in a recess orslot 89 of the slide 85. It will be noticed that the relative positionof the arms 78 and 88 is suchthat when their carrying-shaft is rocked inthe manner described the arm 85 being in contact with the wall of therecess in the slide acts first and forces the slide toward the left .asviewed in Fig.- 5 in order to disengage the wedge and shift the sameclear of the upper block before the second trip-arm 78 throws the crankby which the block is elevated. As the blocks of the former areseparated in the manner described to free the completed hinge they areheld thus adjusted to provide an interval of time required for theadvance and Withdrawal of the ejector in delivering the completed hinge.This is effected by the segment 80 and arm 81 cooperating in the mannerof toggle-levers by becoming locked when shifted to the position shownby dotted lines in Fig. 5, such locking action resulting from the partsbeing relatively proportioned to engage at a point above their centers,in which position they are self-sustained against the action of thespring 87. Their disengagement is brought about on the upstroke of theplunger-head by the rotation of the rock-shaftand disk being reversed tocause the block 83 to engage the segment and force the same around tothe position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 or until it clears the arm81, and thereupon the spring 87, being free to act, again advances thewedge by which the former-blocks are adjusted and locked togetherpreparatory to receiving a pair of leaf-blanks from the reciprocatingslides in the manner above described.

W't're guide and cutting medicament-iteferring now to Fig. 4, it will beseen that the wire after passing through the milled feedrollers entersthe slotted way or guide 64 in the main casting and continues onwardthrough an opening 65 in the shearing-plate 66 located directly in therear of the former. This plate rests in the notched end of an arm 67,pivoted at 68 in the Wireguide slot, the arm being in turn supported bya spring-pin 69. Above the cutter or shearing plate 66 and in contactwith the same a pin 70 is mounted to have a free up-and-down movement.The pin 70 is designed to be engaged and depressed by the depending stud71, carried by the adjustable plunger-head 7 (see Fig. 1) and when thusdepressed forces the plate 66 downward, and the latter, cooperating withthe rear faces of the former members,cuts or shears the wire flush withthe end of the hinge. In order to preventshort bends in the wire andalso the disengagement of the end of the wire from the guide-opening inthe shearing-plate, the pivoted arm 67 is made of suitable length and isprovided with a groove along its upper surface to receive 'ing.

thewire, so that in the shearing action the wire is bent very slightlyand only at or near the pivotal point of the arm. As the guideslot isextremely narrow or of a width slightly in excess of the diameter of thewire, it will be seen that on the return of the arm. 67 to a horizontalposition by theaction ofthe springpin the wire will be againstraightened out. It is also important that the end of the wire shouldnot be withdrawn from the guideopening in the shearing-plate, whichserves to hold it alined with the cylindrical chamber in the former, andto prevent such disengagement as the shearing-plate is depressed thelength of the guide-opening therein is increased bya tubular extension72, formed in part therewith. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will beseen that on the downstroke of the plunger-head the racks dependingtherefrom in engagement with the pinions of the rockshafts 55 55 willrotate the cam 31 toward the right and swing the pawl-carrying arm 28 toadjust the pawl preparatory to advancing the wire. As the head reachesthe limit of its movement the pins 70 71 are broughtinto engagement, andthe wire is sheared in the manner described as the last step in theoperation necessary to complete the hinge. On the upward movement of thehead the rotation of the cam is reversed, and the pawlcarrying arm beingswung back causes the pawl to rotate the ratchet-wheel, and therebyimparts the requisite rotation to the friction feed-wheels to advancethe end of the wire from the shearing-plate'into the cylindrical chamberof the former, as shown in Fig. 11.

Ejector mechanism-As abovedescribed, the former opens when the hinge iscompleted to free the same, and its delivery is efiected by an ejector.(Best shown in Figs. 4 and 6.) Any suitable device might be employed forthis purpose; but I prefer the form shown, which comprises two pins orfingers 90, movable freely back and forth in guide-openings in the maincasting under the action of a crank-arm 91. This arm is fast on arockshaft 92, mounted in suitable bearings on the rear face of the maincasting, and is oscillated to advance or throw the ejector'forward oneach upstroke of the head. A second crankarm 93, fast on the rock-shaft,extends horizontally outward and is pivotally secured at its free' endto a trip-arm 9t. This arm is slotted about centrally of its length, asindicated at 95, to receive a guide pin or stud 96 of a bracketedextension from the main. cast- The upper portion of the slot in thetrip-arm extends parallelwith its length; but the lower portion thereofis curved, and as a result the trip is slightly oscillated whenelevated-that is to say, its upper end is thrown toward the left asviewed in Fig. 4;. A spring 97, secured at one end to the trip-arm andat the other to the bracket, serves to yieldingly retain the arm in itslowermost position and the ejector-fingers retracted. On the upper endof tho trip-arm there is adjustto normal position byits spring.

ger-head their beveled faces engage and the trip yields sufficiently toforce by the toe, but is immediatelythereafter centered or returned Onthe upstroke the trip again strikes the toe, and as their .opposite orflat faces now engage there is no tendency to yield. Consequently thetrip-arm is elevated by the trip and continues upward against the actionof its spring until its upper end is 'cammed over toward the left, Fig.4, by the pin 96 entering the lower curved portion of the slot 95. Thisserves to draw the toe out of engagement with the trip,

- and the various parts are then returned to their normal position bythe spring 97. The elevation of the trip-arm in the manner describedlifts the outer end of the crank 93, and thereby rotates the rock-shaft02 and advances the fi ngers between the former-blocks, as shown in Fig.6, to' eject the hinge. The fingers are withdrawn by the action of thespring 97 in returning the trip-arm to its normal position. The ejectoracts with sufficient force and rapidity to throw the completed hingesoutward clear of the machine into a suitable receptacle. (Not shown.)

C [with and automatic throw-out theref0r. As this machine is automaticthroughout and may be successfully run by a boy or an unskilled workman,it is desirable to render the same self-protecting and notdepend uponthe operator in the event of failure of the mechanism to cooperateproperly. The members of the former being the most delicate andexpensive parts of the machine and as failure of the mechanism to feed,cut, or deliver the material would not likely be observed until theformer had choked up or a defective blank had become jammed therein Iarrange the automatic throw-out for the clutch to be controlled by themovable wedge which adjusts the upper block of the former and securesthe same in locked relation with the lower block thereof. By thisarrangement of mechanism to be described the throw-out operates todisengage the clutch and stop the machine whenever the wedge fails inmaking its full movement to adjust and lock the movable block of theformer, and as a result there is little or no dangerof injury to themembers of this device. Any suitable clutch-such, for eXample,as thatshown in Figs. 16 and 17- may be employed in connecting themain oreccentric shaft of the machine with the driving or belt wheel 4. Thisclutch comprises a sleeve 101, fast on the eccentric-shaft 3, and twocooperating spring-advanced slides 102 and 103. The slide 102 is movablein a 1011- gitudinal groove formed in the bore of the sleeve, and itsouter end is adapted when the clutch is thrown in to project in the pathof travel of a lug 104 on the hub of the beltwheel 4 and provide adriving connection between the wheel and shaft. This slide is cammedclear of the lug 104 by the end of the second slide 103 engaging abeveled portion 105 thereof, the same being exposed in an annular groove106 of the clutch-sleeve. The last-mentioned slide 103 is movable inguides 107, under the influence of a spring 108, tending to force itsengaging end into the annular groove, but is held clear thereof, withits spring compressed bya latch comprising three cooperating levers 109,110, and 111. The lever 100, pivoted at 109, is operatively secured by apin-and-slot connection with the lower end of slide 103, and the freeend of the lever is engaged by a stud or projection 110 of the secondlever 110, the same being pivoted at 110 and provided with a long armextending upward under the hooked end 111 of the third lever 111. Thelast-mentioned lever, pivoted at 111 is held in engagement with lever110 by a spring 111 and serves as the armature of an electromagnet 112.This magnet works on an open circuit and is deenergized normally-2'.(5., when the clutch is thrown in to connect the machine with the power.When the circuit is closed, in a manner to be described, the magnetattracts its armature, which in responding carries the hook 111 clear ofthe engaging end of the lever 110, and the spring 108, being then freeto act, forces the slide 103 into the annular groove 106 and throws outthe clutch. In order to bring the machine to a dead stop, a shoulder 113is formed in the annular groove of the clutch-sleeve, against which theengaging end of the slide 103 abuts after camming the clutch-slide 102clear of the drivingwheel.

The circuit-closing device (best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3) consists ofa spring-arm 114,forming one terminal,and a contact-point 115, formingthe other terminal of a circuit, including the electromagnet 112. Thearm 114 is grounded on the machine by being socured directly to thewedge-slide 85, and thus mounted moves with the same. The point 115,suitably protected by insulation, is carried by an arm 116, pivotallysecured on the front face of the main casting, and from thecontact-point an insulated wire 117 leads to the electromagnet 112, theother wire 118 from the magnet being suitably grounded on the machine tocomplete the ground-circuit back to the terminal 114. A spring 119,engaging the arm 116, tends to close the circuit by forcing the point115 downward into contact with the arm 114; but movement of the arm inthis direction is checked by a cam 120 on the outer projecting end ofthe rockshaft 55. The cam engages the lower end of the arm 116 and holdsthe same against the action of the spring, with its outer end elevatedand the circuit-terminals separated.

The movement of the wedge-slide toward the left to the position shown inFig. 6 serves to bring the lower terminal ll t of the circuitcloser,directly beneath but not in contact with the upper terminal thereof, asin Fig. 1. If the machine has been operating properly and there isnothing to prevent or interfere with the return of the upperformer'block into locked relation with the lower block, this lowerterminal will be shifted by the wedgeslide toward the right and clear ofthe upper terminal before the latter is depressed by its spring-actuatedcarrying-arm 116 dropping from the high to the low part of the cam, andconsequently there is no contact, the circuit remains open and themachine continues in operation. If, however, a hinge or one or moreblanks have become jammed in the former or if, in fact, there issufficient interference to prevent the return of the upper former-block,the wedge-slide cannot make its full movement toward the right, and as aresult the lower terminal will remain beneath the upper terminal, andthe latter on being depressed will close the circuit, energize themagnet, and release the latch in the manner described to throw out theclutch and stop the machine. After the former has been cleared by theremoval of imperfect blanks or the like the wedge-slide, upper block,850., will be forced into operative position. by the spring 87, and themachine may be started up by setting the latch to throw in the clutch.

As the operation of the machine will be apparent from the foregoingdescription, I will describe the same very briefly. The sheetmetalstrips or ribbons and the hinge pintlewire in being drawn from the reelsmay, if desired, be made to pass through suitable straighteners beforebeing fed into the machine. Under the action of the feed-rolls theribbons are advanced through the guides toward the dies until checked bythe automatic stops, and as the plunger descends a pair of hingeleaf-blanks are punched out and deposited in the magazines.Simultaneously with this operation the second setof punches carried bythe head cut the screw-holes for the next pair of blanks to be punchedout. As a pair of blanks are forced into the magazines from the top thereciprocating slides or pushers take the lowermost pair and on theupstroke of the plunger carry these blanks to the former, the members ofwhich are locked together. The necessary length of wire for the pintleof the hinge having been previously entered in the former by the actionof the ratchet-feed, theinterlocking projections of the blanks pass intothe cylindrical chamber thereof by way of the tangential openings, andunder the continuous pres sure of the slides are forced closely aroundthe pint-1e until they completely encircle and grip the same. The hingebeing now formed the pintle-wire is sheared flush with the end thereofas the plunger-head again descends and the eject-or acts on thefollowing upstroke to deliver the completed article.

Some of the main advantages of my invention are as follows: Theemployment of an automatic stop or spacer in connection with acontinuous'feed mechanism results in utilizing the material to itsfullest extent and prevents unnecessary waste thereof. Assembling anduniting the blanks to form the hinge-knuckles complete as a single stepin the operation serves to greatly simplify the mechanism and also tolargely increase the output of the machine. The provision of anautomatic throw-out by which the machine is rendered self-protectinginsures absolutely againstserious injury to the mechanism, due. Themachine being entirely automatic in action the employment of skilledlabor is rendered unnecessary and the cost of operating the same isreduced to a minimum. In producing a completed hinge from rough stock ina single machine frequent handling of the material is avoided, thefloor-space and shoproom occupied is comparatively small, and there is afurther saving in power and labor.

It will be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the exactconstruction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, asvarious changes might be made without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention. For example, other feed mechanism might besubstituted for that shown and the automatic stop dispensed with. Themachine might be reduced to assembling, forming, and uniting the hingeparts by dispensing with the punch and die mechanism and providingmagazines to receive large quantities of suitably-formed leafblanks.Other forms of gearing might be substituted for the rack-bars, pinions,and rock-shafts shown. The relation between the magazines and formermight be changed and other means employed to deliver the blanks from oneto the other. The adjusting, locking, and lockoperating mechanism forthe upper formerblock might be replaced by equivalent mechanismdilfering in form and arrangement, 850.; but all such modifications Iconsider obvious and immaterial variations of form and not of substanceand still within the meaning of the present invention.

IIO

Having therefore described my invention,

what I claim as new, Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine adapted to punch blanks from a metallic ribbon, thecombination of continuously-moving frictional feed mechanism for saidribbon, a reciprocating punch adapted to stamp out portions of the bodyof said ribbon, an automatic stop located in the path of the ribbonbeyond the punch, and

and desire to protect by means whereby each downward stroke of the punchdisengages the stop from the ribbon and leaves it free to reengage asthe ribbon is advanced by the frictional feed mechanism .after thewithdrawal of the punch.

a 2. In a machine adapted to punch blanks from a metallic ribbon, thecombination of continuously-moving frictional feed mechanism for saidribbon, a reciprocating punch adapted to stamp out portions of the bodyof said ribbon, but leaving a continuous skeleton thereof, an automaticstop located in the path of the ribbon beyond the punch, and adapted toconsecutively engage the openings left by said punch, and means wherebyeach downward stroke of the punch disengages the stop from theparticular ribbonopening with which it is engaged, and leaves it free tofall into the next succeeding opening as the ribbon is advanced by thefrictional feed mechanism after each withdrawal of the punch.

3. In a machine adapted to punch blanks from a metallic ribbon, thecombination of continuously-moving frictional feed mechanism for saidribbon, a reciprocating punch adapted to stamp out portions of the bodyof said ribbon, but leaving a continuous skeleton thereof, an automaticstop located in the path of the ribbon beyond the punch, and adapted toconsecutively engage the openings left by said punch, said automaticstop consisting of a pivoted lever having a yielding portion adapted toengage one edge of the opening in the ribbon, and a projection from thepunch adapted to strike the rear portion of said lever and lift theyielding portion from engagement with the ribbon skeleton.

4. In a machine adapted to punch blanks from a metallic ribbon, thecombination of continuously-moving frictional feed mechanism for saidribbon, a reciprocating punch adapted to stamp out portions of the bodyof said ribbon, an automatic stop located in the path of the ribbonbeyond the punch, trip mechanism operating on each downward stroke ofthe punch to disengage the stop from the ribbon, and means forpreventing the stop from rengaging until the ribbon is advanced by thefrictional feed mechanism after the withdrawal of the punch.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with mechanismfor cutting blanks from metallic ribbons, of feed mech-- "anism for saidribbons, reciprocating punches of the blank-cutting mechanism beingadapted to stamp out from said ribbons blanks having interlockingprojections, magazines for the reception of said blanks located belowthe punches, and means for assembling the bottom blanks from each of themagazines and bending their interlocking projections.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with mechanismfor cutting blanks from metallic ribbons, of feed mechanism for saidribbons, reciprocating punches of the blank-cutting mechanism beingadapted to stamp out from said ribbons blanks having interlockingprojections, magazines for the reception of said blanks located belowthe punches, and means for assembling the bottom blanks from each of themagazines and bending their interlocking projections, saidlast-mentioned means comprising reciprocating slides forming the bottomof said magazines and a former located between said slides and providedwith recesses into which the projecting portions of the blanksare'forced by the reciprocating slides.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with mechanismfor cutting blanks from metallic ribbons, of feed mechanism for saidribbons, reciprocating punches of the blank'cuttingmechanism beingadapted to stamp out from said ribbons blanks having interlockingprojections, magazines for the reception of said blanks located belowthe punches, and means for assembling the bottom blanks from each of themagazines and bending their interlocking projections, saidlast-mentioned means comprising pivoted levers yieldingly sustainedbeneath the magazines, and reciprocating slides grooved to straddle thelevers and together forming the bottom of said magazines.

8. The combination of two oppositely-arranged magazines adapted to holdone or more blanks provided with projections adapted to interlock onewith another, means for feeding'a pintle-wire between said magazines,and means for assembling the blanks in pairs and bending theirinterlocking projections about the pintle-wire.

9. The combination of two oppositely-arranged magazines adapted to holdone or more blanks provided with projections adapted to interlock onewith another, means for feeding a pintle-wire between said magazines,and

means for assembling the blanks in pairs and bending their interlockingprojections about the pintle-wire, together with means for severing theportion of wire so inclosed from the remainder thereof.

10. The combination of two oppositely-arranged magazines adapted to holdone or more blanks provided with projections adapted to interlock onewith another, means for feeding a pintle-wire between said magazines,and means for assembling the blanks in pairs and bending theirinterlocking projections about the pintle-wire, said last-mentionedmeans comprising a former having a cylindrical chamber, in which thewire is centered, with side openings in the shape of passage-waystangential to the cylindrical portion and adapted to receive theinterlocking projections of the blanks.

11. In a hinge-making machine, a two-part former comprising a lowerblock having a groove in its upper end, the outline of the cross-sectionof which forms about two-thirds the circumference of a circle, combinedwith an upper block provided with arc-shaped projections so located thatwhen thetwo blocks are assembled a cylindrical chamber is formed havinga series of passage-ways leading into said chamber from either sidetangentially to the walls thereof.

12. In a hinge-making machine, a two-part an upper block formercomprising a lower block having a groove in its upper end, the outlineof the cross-section of which forms about two-thirds the circumferenceof a circle, combined with an upper block provided with arc-shapedprojections so located that when the two blocks areassem bled acylindrical chamberis formed having a series of passage-ways leadinginto said chamber from either side tangentially to the walls thereof,said lower block being centrally divided along a vertical plane, with ahinge connecting the two sections at the bottom, and said upper blockbeing provided with overhanging projections locking said sections of thelower block together when the upper and lower blocks are assembled.

13. In a hinge-making machine, a two-part former comprising a lowerblock having a groove in its upper end, the outline of the cross-sectionof which forms about two-thirds the circumference of a circle, combinedwith an upper block provided with arc-shaped projections so located thatwhen the two blocks are assembled a cylindrical chamberis formed havinga series of passage-ways leading into said chamber from either sidetangentially to the walls thereof, together with means for separatingthe blocks to permit of the discharge of the completed hinge.

lat. In a hinge-making machine, a two-part former comprising a lowerblock having a groove in its upper end, the outline of the cross-sectionof which forms about two-thirds the circumference of a circle, combinedwith an upper block provided with are -shaped projections so locatedthat when the two blocks are assembled a cylindrical chamber is formedhaving a series of passage-ways leading into said chamber from eitherside tangentially to the walls thereof, said lower block being centrallydivided along a vertical plane,

with a hinge connecting the two sections at the bottom, and said upperblock being provided with overhanging projections looking said sectionsof the lower block together when the upper and lower blocks areassembled, together with means for lifting the upper block to free thecompleted hinge.

15. In a hinge-making machine, a two-part former comprising a lowerblock having a groove in its upper end, the outline of the cross-sectionof which forms about two-thirds the circumference of a circle, combinedwith provided with are shaped projections so located that when the twoblocks are assembled a cylindrical chamber is formed having a series ofpassageways leading into said chamber from either side tangentially tothe walls ,thereof, said lower block being centrally divided along avertical plane, with a hinge connecting the two sections at the bottom,and said upper block being provided with overhanging projections lockingsaid sections of the lower block together when the upper and lowerblocks are assembled, together with means for lifting the upper block tofree the completed hinge, and removable 'mcans adapted to lock the upperblock down in its position of engagement or to be removed to permit theupper block to be lifted.

16. In ametal-bendingmachine of the character described, the combinationof the twopart former, means for separating the parts to free thecompleted article, a reciprocating wedge adapted to lock said partstogether, reciprocating mechanism for moving said Wedge into and out oflocking position, and a yielding connection between said wedge and itsreciprocating mechanism.

17. Inametal-bending machineofthecharacter described, the combination ofthe twopart former, means for separating the parts to free the completedarticle, a reciprocating wedge adapted to lock said parts together,reciprocating mechanism for moving said wedge into and out of lockingposition, and a yielding connection between said wedge and itsreciprocating mechanism, together with an ejector, a clutch throughwhich the power to run the machine as a whole is transmitted, anelectromagnet adapted to throw said clutch out of operation when itscoils are energized, a normally open electric circuit connected to saidcoils, and a contact making and breaking apparatus for said circuit, theposition of one terminal of which is controlled by the wedge.

.18. In ametal-bending machine of the character described, thecombination of the twopart former, means for separating the parts tofree the completed article, a reciprocating wedge adapted to lock saidparts together, reciprocating mechanism for moving said wedge into andout of locking position, and ayielding connection between said wedge andits reciprocating mechanism, together with means for disconnecting thepower from the machine, and apparatus for throwing said means intooperation whenever the wedge is prevented from returning to the lockingposition.

19. vA former for metal-bending machines having a cylindrical chamberwith tangential passage-ways leading thereto from both sides, saidpassage-ways being all located in a common plane parallel to the axis ofthe cylindricalohamber, but in separate planes which are perpendicularto said axis.

20. A former for metal-bending machines having a cylindrical chamberwith tangential passage-ways leading thereto from both sides, saidpassage-ways being all located in a common plane parallel to the axis ofthe cylindrical chamber, but in separate planes which are perpendicularto said axis, in combination with means for feeding wire axially intosaid chamber, and means for forcing the projecting portions of suitablemetal blanks into the chamber through the tangential passageways andaround the wire.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of thereciprocating plunger and the punches carried thereby, the die-platewith which the punches coiiporatc, magazines ICC for the blanks, atwopart former arranged between the magazines, an intermittent ratchetfeed mechanism for delivering Wire to the former,oppositely-reciprocating slides for feeding the blanks from themagazines to the former, gearing for reciprocating the slides comprisingparallel rock-shafts carrying pin-.

ions operatively connected with the plungerhead and the feed-slides byintermeshingrackbars, and a cam on one of the rock-shafts for operatingthe wire-feed mechanism.

22. Inametal-bendingmachineofthecharacter described, the combination offeeding mechanism for the blanks, a two-part former separable to freethe completed article, means for-locking said parts together, a clutchcontrolling the power to said feed mechanism and locking means and anautomatic throwont for the clutch, comprising suitable clutchdisengagingmechanism, a spring-actuated latch for holding the same adjusted, anelectromagnetic trip for the latch and a circuitcloser, which, uponfailure of the former to become properly assembled, is operated by theaforesaid locking means to complete a circuit and thereby energize theelectromagnetic trip.

23. In ahinge-making machine, a two-part former, comprising a lowerblock having a groove in its-upper end, the outline of the cross-sectionof which forms about two-thirds the circumference of a circle, combinedwith an upper block provided with arc-shaped projections so'located thatwhen the two blocks are assembled a cylindrical chamber is formed havinga series of passage-Ways leading into said chamber from either sidetangentially to the walls thereof, together with means for separatingthe blocks to permit of the discharge of the completed hinge, said meanscomprising a lifting-arm engaging the upper block of the former, asuitably-driven rockshaft provided with two engaging projections, asegment loosely mounted upon the rock-shaft with its free end extendingbetween said engaging projections into operative relation with thelifting'arm.

Signed at New York, N. Y., this 1st day of August, 1902.

LOUIS T. WEISS.

Witnesses:

W. H. PUMPHREY, A. PARKER SMITH.

